Love One Another More

In First Thessalonians 4:9-10 Paul wrote to encourage us as to how we should live our lives in the light of the coming of Christ. Paul said, "But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more" (vs. 9-10).

It seems that in the early years of the young churches Paul had started there was a widespread belief that Jesus would return very soon, certainly within their lifetime, a belief we continue to hold today. As a result there began to grow a belief that His coming would be so soon that they need not do anything but wait for His return. Apparently, many of them quit their jobs in order to "wait" for the expected event. Others were busy stirring up excitement with the latest "signs" of His coming. Still others simply began to meddle in other believers' business and became obnoxious. We see the same reactions today.

Paul's exhortation to love in these verses is set in contrast with the admonition he gave them concerning immorality and lust in verses 3-8. The phrase "but concerning" (v. 9a), or “now as to” (NASB), introduces a change in subject from a discussion about lust and sexual sin to a consideration of "brotherly love" (v. 9a), or  "the love of the brethren" (NASB). They must not only abstain from illicit forms of affection but they must exchange all of that for the kind of brotherly love that is characterized by only the purest motives and conduct. There was no better way to express the change regeneration had made in the Thessalonians. There is no better way for us to express this same change in our lives, because, like the Thessalonians, we too are "taught by God to love one another" (v. 9b).

"Brotherly love" (v. 9a), or "love of the brethren" (NASB), translates the Greek word philadelphia, which originally referred to affection for blood relatives. But in the New Testament, the Greek word philadelphia is always used to refer to Christian affection. True biblical love is always seen in acts of sacrificial service that benefits others.

The fact that this was taught to them by God is significant. No one else taught them to love one another, not even Paul. God Himself taught them this. The phrase "you yourselves" (v. 9b) indicates that, apart from Paul or any other teacher, all believers are taught by God to love one another (literally, "God taught," a phrase used only here in the New Testament).

Christians love each other naturally. If you know God, you will love each other because God is love. Romans 5:5 says, "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." First John 3:14 adds, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Again, in First John 2:9-10 John adds, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him." And in First John 3:16-17 we read, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?"

Get the picture? Believers do things for one another out of a pure love of God—love that naturally comes from within where the Holy Spirit resides. True believers meet each others' needs and give sacrificially for the benefit of their brothers in Christ.

This is agape Love—the purest form of love as only Christians can express because it is the very love of God flowing through us. This love the Thessalonians already showed for one another, as we are told in verse 10a: "and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia." However, no one is ever perfect in their love for one another. There is always room to grow. Just as Paul wanted to see them strengthen their faith (1 Thess. 3:10), he also wanted them to strengthen their love for one another. That is why he urges them to "increase more and more" (v. 10b), or to "excel still more" (NASB).

In a similar manner, Peter wrote, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart" (1 Peter 1:22). Here, "love one another fervently" literally means "stretch out to the limits of love for one another." Knowing that Christ is returning soon, Paul, like Peter, urged these believers to stretch themselves to the limit in their love for each other. Leave nothing undone. Do all you can for one another—to the limit! Amen.